Democrat Stacey Abrams is receiving criticism for reportedly cutting pay for former staffers after losing to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
Campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo told Axios that after raking in more than $100 million while fundraising, Abrams’ campaign still owes more than $1 million in debt to vendors.
The outlet noted money became an issue after her loss as the majority of the 180 staffers were given a date during which their paychecks would be cut off only a week after the election.
“People have told me they have no idea how they’re going to pay their rent in January,” a former staffer said to Axios.
The staffer explained, “It was more than unfortunate. It was messed up.”
According to Groh-Wargo, a “cavalcade of negative press and negative polling” made it difficult to fundraise in the last few months.
She told Axios the campaign had “engaged brokers to sell their donor and voter contact databases to try to pay down the debt over time,” as the outlet reported.
“We did not just lose, we got blown out,” Groh-Wargo said. “It was the most sub-optimal situation to be in. And we will be dealing with that situation for some time.”
Groh-Wargo said she would have “loved to do a lot of things differently,” adding, “But I had to move as fast as possible.”
She continued, “We tried to do the best we could to make sure that help would be there for folks,” mentioning health insurance benefits that extended through November.
Another former staffer said, “I figured, $100 million? They should be able to pay me until December.”
Despite the debt, Abrams is not closing the door on politics.
“I may run again, but I’ve always said that it’s not about the title, it’s about the work,” Abrams said during an interview on “Good Morning America.”
Abrams delivered a concession speech following her loss, acknowledging the results were not what they hoped for.
“We may not have made it to the finish line, but we ran that race and we know this path and we know that running is what matters. That standing is what matters. That defending is what matters,” she said at the time.